Fewer high-income and successful students are studying abroad, study abroad, high income, high achieving students

Kozhikode: According to recent data, fewer students with over 90 percent marks and significant financial means opt to leave colleges in Kerala to study abroad. Only a minority of students with marks ranging from 91 to 100 percent opt to study overseas, with a mere 16 percent choosing this path. Fewer students from families with an annual income exceeding 15 lakhs leave Kerala for educational pursuits, standing at just six percent.

However, even prestigious colleges in Kerala, renowned for their academic contributions, see a significant number of free seats. The previous academic year saw 35 to 40 percent of free seats in undergraduate courses. Many students from low-income backgrounds also opt to pursue their studies outside Kerala, often leaning on bank loans to fund their education.

The attraction of academic excellence, diverse curriculum offerings, and the prospect of part-time employment opportunities motivate students to seek education abroad, with popular destinations including the UK, Australia, and the US. A study by NORKA reveals that students have chosen 54 other countries as well for overseas education. An agency in Kochi recruited 7,236 students to study abroad in the last academic year alone. A study conducted by the Center for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kerala indicates that individuals ranging from average education levels to highly talented ones have left Kerala last year. Data reveals that 32 percent of those who study abroad are female students.

‘More courses should be introduced’

Addressing this phenomenon, Prof. Varghese Mathew, President of the Kerala Unaided College Principals Council, emphasised the need for expanding course offerings within Kerala to cater to diverse career opportunities. With more students leaving Kerala annually for educational pursuits, there is a pressing need for colleges to prioritise academic excellence, he said.